KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- In attempt to raise awareness for ALS research, head coach Butch Jones and staff participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge. Each of the coaches challenged Tennessee legends prior to being frozen out.

Jones accepted his challenge and then challenged three more Tennessee affiliated individuals, including Donnie Tyndall, Jon Gruden and Peyton Manning.

Senior A.J. Johnson was one of the players that participated in pouring the water over coaches' heads and had the distinct pleasure of doing it for Jones.

"It felt real good," Johnson said. "I know the ice dumping was for charity, so we did it for a great cause and it felt good dumping it on coach."

Along with Jones, linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen challenged Al Wilson, one of the greatest linebackers in UT history having played from 1995-98.

Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez took the opportunity to challenge the great Eric Berry, All-Pro safety of the Kansas City Chiefs who played at Tennessee from 2007-09.

Defensive coordinator John Jancek called out three-time Super Bowl Champion Bill Bates who played for the Vols from 1979-83 before playing with the Dallas Cowboys. Bates of course is the dad of freshman Dillon Bates.

Offensive line coach Don Mahoney made sure to challenge one of his most recent graduates and current NFL rookie Ja'Wuan James, who has earned himself a starting role with the Miami Dolphins.

Running backs coach Robert Gillespie accepted his challenge only to call out two more people, including current rookie Rajion Neal of the Packers. He also named Baltimore Ravens Hall of Famer Jamal Lewis for the challenge.

Former Vols star quarterback and Heisman runner-up, Heath Shuler, was called out by quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian.

To the mix, Director of Strength and Conditioning Dave Lawson accepted the challenge to pass it on to Ben Bartholomew, a former Vols fullback from 2008-2012.

Mark Elder, tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, dared the great Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys to accept his challenge.

With the players fully supporting the cause by pouring the water, they recognize the meaning behind an important cause.

"I think that's awesome," quarterback Justin Worley said. "This whole ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has really taken off. You see all these different teams doing different things and just having all of our coaches involved, calling out some of these awesome VFLs, is a great experience and it opens a lot of eyes."